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Chelsea, Liverpool 'ready to bid' for £87m-rated Michael Olise
Chelsea have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Bayern Munich superstar Michael Olise, according to German media.
The France international is quickly becoming one of European football's most scintillating performers. Olise has notched five goals and six assists in nine outings across all competitions so far this season.
He was again in inspired form as Bayern put Cypriot outfit Pafos to the sword on Tuesday. Olise recorded a goal and two assists in Bayern's comfortable 5-1 Champions League win.
However, he drew criticism for his showboating during the match. There was one incident in the game when he received the ball, stood still and did a pointless 360 under no pressure. This drew the ire of the crowd, and Olise was branded 'disrespectful' on social media.
This isn't the first time Olise's idiosyncratic nature has come in for criticism either. Earlier this year, the German press slammed him for playing chess on his phone during Bayern's Bundesliga title celebrations in Munich.
Chelsea enter Olise race
In more important news, Olise is increasingly drawing transfer interest due to his consistently brilliant performances. Liverpool have reportedly identified him as a long-term Mohamed Salah replacement, while PSG view him as a 'dream' target for the future.
Now, BILD reports that Chelsea and Man City have also entered the race for the 23-year-old. Olise previously spent time in both clubs' academies.
It is claimed that his English suitors, and Liverpool in particular, would have no qualms about paying as much as €100 million (£87m, $117m) for the Frenchman next summer. Bayern, meanwhile, are already working on a new contract for their 2024 signing.
Olise's new five-year deal would entail a significant pay rise to bring him in line with Bayern's best-paid players. He currently earns €12 million per season as a base salary, with an additional €4m up for grabs in bonuses. By contrast, Harry Kane can make as much as €24m annually.
Contrary to reports in England and elsewhere, the German press keeps insisting that Olise does not have a release clause in his Bayern contract. Only Kane and Jamal Musiala, as well as perhaps one or two others, have been afforded such a privilege by the Bundesliga giants.
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